Russia denies receiving requests from Syria to modify military base agreements

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Damascus has not approached Moscow with a request to reconsider bilateral agreements regarding Russian military bases in the country.

He emphasised that Syria, as a sovereign country, has the right to enter into and terminate agreements with foreign partners. However, Russia has not received any requests, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"Syria is a sovereign country that has the right to conclude and terminate agreements with foreign partners. At the same time, we are unaware of any efforts by the new authorities to inventory or review such agreements. No requests on this matter have been made to the Russian side," Lavrov said.

He also reminded that Syria is currently in a transition period until March 1, 2025, with the existing government holding a temporary status, which limits its policy in constitutional and institutional matters.

While delivering a speech at the "Results of the Year" event, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the future of Russian military bases in Syria depends on whether the interests of Moscow align with those of the new authorities in Damascus. 

On December 8, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (recognized as a terrorist organisation and banned in Russia) seized power in Syria. President Bashar al-Assad resigned and fled to Russia. In mid-December, a member of the group's political bureau announced the relocation of at least 400 Russian soldiers from the Damascus area to the Khmeimim Air Base. These actions were taken as part of coordination with Syria's new authorities.

By Naila Huseynova